The award, symbolic of the nation’s top defensive player as chosen by the Football Writers’ Association of America, is presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers, was last year’s winner.

Amerson set an ACC record and led the nation with 13 interceptions last season for the Wolfpack.

As with all the other major awards whose watch lists have been announced this week, players can be added and subtracted to the list of candidates as the season progresses. The Nagurski Trophy will be presented as part of ESPNU’s College Football Award Show on Dec. 6.